Manchester 2008: Six of the best

By David Gavrilovic
BBC Sport

Manchester swimmer Natalie Jones

The world's best disabled athletes are in Manchester for the Paralympic World Cup 2008.

It is the fourth annual event in the City and will feature over 400 competitors.

With so many athletes taking part, who are the ones to watch this time around?

Here are six of the best, five of whom are from Manchester.

John Pollock - Basketball

John will be a valued member of the British men's wheelchair basketball side in both the Paralympic World Cup and the Beijing Paralympics.

The experienced player from Wigan will be hoping to get plenty of court time whilst hoping to help the side achieve a top two finish in the event.

With some skilled and consistently high quality players the GB men will have a genuine medal chance in this event and maybe even in the Beijing Paralympics.

Simon Jackson - Cycling

Simon is new to cycling having already won three gold and a bronze medal at the Paralympics in Judo.

This will be his first Paralympic World Cup and he will be paired in the tandem cycling events with Barney Storey.

The partially-sighted school teacher from Rochdale has only been cycling for three weeks after taking his class on a trip to the Velodrome and being persuaded to give it a go by Barney.

Despite being new to the sport Simon is setting times with Barney that suggest they have a genuine chance of a medal at the Paralympic World Cup and later in the year the Paralympics.

Sarah Storey -Cycling

'Superwoman' Sarah Bailey is back at the Paralympic world cup again this year following her success in last year's event.

The Manchester cyclist - now known as Sarah Storey following her marriage to Barney Storey - won two gold medals last year with comfortable wins in both of her events.

The former swimmer will be one of Britain's stars at the Beijing Paralympics and looks set for more gold medals at this week's Paralympic World Cup.

Natalie Jones - Swimming

Natalie is one of Britain's most talented Paralympic swimmers.

Following her success in last year's Paralympic World Cup Natalie will be seeking more gold medals in the pool as she aims to beat some world class opposition to earn Paralympic World Cup gold as well as gain the psychological advantage over her rivals in the build up to Beijing.

The biggest threat to the East Manchester competitor will probably come from Welsh swimmer Liz Johnson who Natalie overcame in last year's event.

Ian Jones - Athletics

Ian will be hoping for two gold medals at this year's Paralympic World Cup.

Last year the Manchester athlete had to settle for a pair of silver medals behind the 'fastest man on no legs' Oscar Pistorius.

With the South African not competing in Manchester this year, Jones has a real shot at claiming gold in both the 100m and the 400m.

Natalie Du Toit - Swimming

Natalie can now claim to be the world's best disabled sports person.

She has qualified for the able bodied Olympics after finishing 4th in the 10km open water swimming World Championship.

The South African also won athlete of the Games at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The 24-year-old won five gold medals at the Athens Paralympics and regularly wins at a variety of distances from 50m to 800m.

She also won three gold medals at last years Paralympic World Cup.